Also adding to the good mood – John has reunited with his original band including guitarist Davey Johnstone and drummer Nigel Olsson.

Johnstone, who has also played with other stars including Rod Stewart and Meat Loaf, has been instrumental to John’s sound since 1971, although he sat out the last album.

That work, The Diving Board, came out in 2013 and was John’s first in more than 30 years in which he did not include any of his regular band members.

The last album was defined by a stripped-down sound as John concentrated on his piano playing, retreating into his own reflections.

Wonderful Crazy Night, by contrast, returns to John’s defining style, with a piano that is rooted in the blues but producing quickly memorable pop hooks.

While the sound is a time-tested way to please fans, it is unlikely to surprise many of them. About the only unexpected element on Wonderful Crazy Night comes on Claw Hammer, which has a touch of Indian instrumentation.

But John is shifting in different ways. One of the world’s highest-grossing performers, particularly through Las Vegas residencies, the singer has said he plans to limit shows to focus on his family.

And the veteran pianist, whose hits include one named Sad Songs, said he had to adjust his playing to his recent mood.

The album is “very ‘up’ and it’s hard for me to write ‘up’ songs,” he told BBC Radio 2.